A big guy with a big future

Blaine Schafer has college coaches lining up for him

Blaine Schafer has college coaches lining up for him

December 18, 2007|RUSTY NIXON Tribune Correspondent

PLYMOUTH -- At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Plymouth High School's Blaine Schafer shouldn't be scared of much. "Actually a lot of things scare me," he said with a laugh. "Until recently, I was scared of the dark. My parents have been out a couple of nights lately, and I was at home by myself. I'm flipping every light in the house on." The future doesn't scare him. He's earned one of Indiana high school football's top honors by being named to the coach's Top 50 List of best players in the state. The Indiana Football Coach's Association names the players regardless of the size of the school or the year in school of the player. Being on the list can bring a lot of attention, but Blaine is used to that. A starter on the offensive line since his sophomore year, he's a true Division I recruit. "He's the real deal," said PHS head football coach John Barron. "He's a dominant blocker. People ask me 'Is he that good?' -- and he is. He's got great feet, he's got good hands and he's always wanted to be very good." It wasn't long after his junior year that colleges began to notice. It's made things a little different. "It's kind of a hectic time right now," Blaine said. "It's what they call a 'free period' where they can call you unlimited times, stop by your house or school once a week." It's also made it a little tougher to find tickets to Plymouth basketball games, where Blaine is a member of the squad. "A couple of nights ago we were at Tippecanoe Valley for a game, and both the coaches from Bowling Green and Western (Michigan) were there," he said. "I'm trying to weigh this. My parents are trying to weigh this. It's been great. I wouldn't trade it for anything." Having solid family ties to help is a plus. The Schafers are a very close-knit family. "Mom and Dad (Sherry and Brent) have always been there for me," Blaine said. "My brother (Drew) is at Ball State. He's always checking up on me making sure I'm doing the right thing. "My grandparents have always been at every game since like the sixth grade. They might have missed a track meet here and there, but it's because I told them not to come." It's all helped Blaine keep things in perspective. You can ask his coach. "I was at a track meet in Middlebury and I get a call on my cell phone from Mike DeBord, the offensive coordinator at Michigan," said Barron. "At first I thought it was a prank call. Then he said they're looking at Blaine, and I thought, 'This is for real now.' "He became one of those Division I recruits and a lot of guys start to worry about themselves, about getting hurt. (But) he never complained or questioned being a defensive player too. "His parents never questioned. He just wanted us to be a better football team, and he was willing to do whatever that took." After all of this, where is Blaine going to end up? Only time will tell. "It's hard to say," he said with a grin. He's not turning off any of those lights yet.